Donald Trump has unsurprisingly dominated the news this week, with two big, controversial, and highly criticized decisions making waves. To that end, on July 15, he fired the Sacramento-based Michele Beckwith, acting U.S. Attorney. This occurred just a few days after she had ordered immigration agents not to randomly pick up people in her district. Just a few hours later, he authorized the National Guard to be deployed to Portland, Oregon. He claimed that this measure was necessary in order to defend the city, which he referred to as “war torn.” Unsurprisingly given the widening rift, local officials have reacted with furious condemnation to the actions. This naturally led many to question the President’s grasp of what’s happening in Portland.
In a social media announcement, Trump asserted that the deployment was essential due to what he characterized as a siege on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities by “antifascists and other domestic terrorists.” Reactions to his rosy assessment of Portland have understandably drawn skepticism. It appears to us that cherry-picked, hack journalism from right-wing media outlets have very much shaped his opinions here.
Dismissal of Federal Prosecutor
Michele Beckwith’s dismissal came just after she issued a warning to immigration agents regarding their detention practices within her jurisdiction. As many have noted, Trump’s choice to fire her by email is particularly questionable. This shift has led to increased scrutiny of his professed dedication to enforcing the law. Critics argue that firing a federal prosecutor for attempting to ensure lawful practices undermines the integrity of the justice system.
Local leaders have still reacted with disappointment to Trump’s action. They contend that Beckwith was simply trying to protect the public while protecting individual rights. The abrupt termination raises real red flags. It further hints at political interference in the judicial system as immigration enforcement continues to come under heavy fire.
Deployment of National Guard
Following his announcement regarding the National Guard, Trump insisted that all necessary troops would be sent to Portland to restore order. He said the city was being besieged. Yet, as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting, his claims were undercut by hard evidence showing protests outside the Portland HQ were nonexistent, with only four protesting ICE’s repression at one time. Local officials, including recently sworn-in Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, were quick to shoot down Trump’s claim that things were out of control.
Kotek stated, “There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security and there is no need for military troops in our major city.” She argued further that Oregon can and should be left to meet its own public safety needs without federal interference. Her comments are representative of the increasing frustration with Trump’s micromanagement of local governance, public safety and local law enforcement.
Local Officials Push Back
That radical path forward may be seen in the deployment of federal troops, which has set off a firestorm of criticism from all sides. Most local leaders we’ve talked to see this as the last gasp of an overreached president trying to rob local authority. In discussing that, Kotek highlighted her no nonsense communication style, including with Trump. Her message was unmistakable – highlighting that Oregon honors the rule of law and does not require military support.
The situation is becoming increasingly fraayed. Community members are organizing to voice their concerns about free speech and civil liberties being trampled due to federal involvement. One resident remarked, “Trump is flaunting his corruption,” illustrating the sentiment among those who feel that the federal government’s actions are unjustified.
As the situation continues to unfold, Trump’s decisions have sparked a national conversation about the role of federal law enforcement in local matters and the implications of his administration’s actions on civil liberties.